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GACE
Study Companion
For the most up-to-date information, visit the ETS GACE website at gace.ets.org.
Copyright 2013 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS is a registered
trademark of Educational Testing Service (ETS). Georgia Assessments for the Certification of
Educators, GACE, and the GACE logo are registered trademarks of the Georgia Professional
Standards Commission. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including without limitation, photocopy, recording, or any information
storage or retrieval system, on any medium whatsoever, without the prior written permission of
the GaPSC. A single copy of this Study Companion may be downloaded for individual use.
This publication has been produced for the GaPSC by ETS. ETS is under contract to the
GaPSC to administer the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators. The
Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators are administered under the authority
of the GaPSC; regulations and standards governing the program are subject to change without
notice at the discretion of the GaPSC. The GaPSC and ETS are committed to preventing
discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in the
administration of the testing program or the provision of related services.
GACE Media Specialist Assessment Study Companion 3
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Table of Contents
Welcome to the GACE Study Companion ............................................................................... 4
Get Ready to Show What You Know ................................................................................. 4
Know What to Expect ............................................................................................................. 6
Familiarize Yourself with Test Questions ................................................................................ 8
Understanding Selected-response Questions.................................................................... 8
Understanding Constructed-response Questions .............................................................. 11
GACE Scores ......................................................................................................................... 12
What Your GACE Scores Mean ........................................................................................ 12
Determine Your Strategy for Success .................................................................................... 14
Would a Study Group Work for You? ................................................................................ 15
Develop Your Study Plan ........................................................................................................ 17
Review Smart Tips for Success .............................................................................................. 19
Smart Tips for Taking the Test .......................................................................................... 19
Check on Testing Accommodations ........................................................................................ 21
Do Your Best on Test Day ...................................................................................................... 22
Other Questions You May Have .............................................................................................. 24
About the Assessment ............................................................................................................ 26
Content Specifications ....................................................................................................... 27
Test I Subareas ................................................................................................................. 28
Test I Objectives ............................................................................................................... 28
Test II Subareas ................................................................................................................ 31
Test II Objectives .............................................................................................................. 31
Approaches to Answering Selected-response Questions ........................................................ 35
Question Formats .............................................................................................................. 36
Practice Questions .................................................................................................................. 40
Answer Key and Rationales .................................................................................................... 54
Study Plan Sheet .................................................................................................................... 62
Preparation Resources ........................................................................................................... 63
GACE Media Specialist Assessment Study Companion 4
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Welcome to the GACE Study Companion
Get Ready to Show What You Know
You have gained the knowledge and skills you need for your teaching career. Now you are
ready to demonstrate your abilities by taking the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of
Educators
(GACE
).
Using the GACE Study Companion is a smart way to prepare for the test so you can do your
best on test day. The Study Companion can help you stay on track and make the most efficient
use of your study time.
The Study Companion contains practical information and helpful tools including:
An overview of the assessments
Descriptions of different types of test questions
Information about scores and how to understand them
Test-taking tips and strategies
Frequently asked questions
Specific information about the assessment you are taking
Practice questions and explanations of correct answers
A study plan template
Additional resources to help you study
So where should you start?
Begin by reviewing the Study Companion in its entirety, paying particular attention to the content
specifications in About the Assessment beginning on page 26. The content specifications detail
the knowledge and skills to be measured on the assessment. These specifications are aligned
with the:
Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS) these standards are
available on the Georgia Department of Education website at www.doe.k12.ga.us
under Curriculum and Instruction
Content standards for Georgias state-approved educator preparation programs see
Educator Preparation Rules in the Rules section on the Georgia Professional Standards
Commission (GaPSC) website at www.gapsc.com
To identify the areas you may need to study, go through the standards and note the specific
areas that you need to review.
GACE Media Specialist Assessment Study Companion 5
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Once you have reviewed the Study Companion and the standards, you can create your own
personalized study plan and schedule based on your individual needs and how much time
you have before test day. Be sure to also seek other resources to strengthen your content
knowledge. See the Preparation Resources section of this Study Companion.
Keep in mind that study habits are individual. There are many different ways to successfully
prepare for your test. Some people study better on their own, while others prefer a group
setting. You may have more energy early in the day, but another test taker may concentrate
better in the evening. Use the Study Companion to develop the approach that works
best for you.
Your teaching career begins with preparation. Good luck!
GACE Media Specialist Assessment Study Companion 6
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Know What to Expect
These questions and answers will give you an overview of the GACE assessments.
Why do I need to take a GACE assessment?
GACE is the educator certification assessment program for the state of Georgia. The purpose of
the GACE assessments is to help the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC)
ensure that candidates have the knowledge and skills needed to perform the job of an educator
in Georgias public schools. Professionals serving in most public schools must hold a valid
certificate, appropriate to their field of employment.
Which assessments should I take?
Before you register for an assessment, identify which assessment(s) you need to take. Note
that some assessments contain more than one test, and that you will be required to pass all
of the tests within an assessment to meet the certification requirements. Educator testing
requirements for Georgia are available from the GaPSC website at www.gapsc.com under
Educator Assessment.
How do I find out what is covered on the assessment I need to take?
Each Study Companion contains the content specifications for the assessment that detail the
knowledge and skills to be covered. These specifications are aligned with the Common Core
Georgia Performance Standards and the content standards for Georgias state-approved
educator preparation programs.
What are the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS)?
The CCGPS is a set of core standards for kindergarten through high school in English language
arts, mathematics, and grades 6-12 literacy in science, history, social studies, and technical
subjects that have been formally adopted by Georgia and 44 other states, including the District
of Columbia (D.C.), and two territories, along with the Department of Defense Education
Activity. The CCGPS provide a consistent framework to prepare students for success in college
and the 21
st
century workplace.
What are the content standards for Georgias state-approved educator preparation
programs?
A set of content standards has been adopted by the GaPSC on which state-approved educator
preparation program providers prepare their candidates. These standards are adapted from
national content standards.
How are the GACE assessments administered?
All GACE assessments are administered via computer at specially equipped test centers
throughout Georgia, in neighboring states, and internationally.
GACE Media Specialist Assessment Study Companion 7
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Where and when are the GACE assessments offered?
Test dates and test center locations are available on the GACE website at www.gace.ets.org.
When you register for a test, you can select the test center that is most convenient for you.
How do I get my scores?
Your scores are available through your ETS GACE testing account on the GACE website at
www.gace.ets.org on the score reporting date listed in the Registration Bulletin. Your test
results are released to you, the GaPSC, and your program provider, if you have one.
GACE Media Specialist Assessment Study Companion 8
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Familiarize Yourself with Test Questions
The GACE assessments include several types of test questions, which can be broken into two
categories: objective items (for which you select or produce an answer that is scored either
correct or incorrect) and constructed response (for which you write or record a response of
your own that is scored by trained raters based on scoring guidelines). You may be familiar with
these question formats from taking other standardized tests. If not, familiarize yourself with them
so you dont spend time during the test figuring out how to answer them.
Understanding Selected-response Questions
The majority of the questions in the GACE assessments are selected-response questions.
The single-question format presents a direct question or an incomplete statement. This type
of question may begin with the phrase Which of the following . . . Take a look at this example:
Which of the following is a flavor made from beans?
A. Strawberry
B. Cherry
C. Vanilla
D. Mint
How would you answer this question?
All of the answer options are flavors. Your job is to decide which of the flavors is the one made
from beans.
Try following these steps to select the correct answer.
1) Limit your answer to one of the options given. You may know that chocolate and coffee
are also flavors made from beans, but they are not listed. Rather than thinking of other
possible answers, focus only on the options given (Which of the following . . .).
2) Eliminate incorrect answers. You may know that strawberry and cherry flavors are
made from fruit and that mint flavor is made from a plant. That leaves vanilla as the only
possible answer.
3) Verify your answer. You can substitute vanilla for the phrase Which of the following and
turn the question into this statement: Vanilla is a flavor made from beans. This will help you
be sure that your answer is correct. If youre still uncertain, try substituting the other options
to see if they make sense.
You may want to use this technique as you answer selected-response questions on the
practice tests.
GACE Media Specialist Assessment Study Companion 9
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Try a more challenging example
The vanilla bean question is pretty straightforward, but youll find that more challenging
questions have a similar structure. For example:
Entries in outlines are generally arranged according to which of
the following relationships of ideas?
A. Literal and inferential
B. Concrete and abstract
C. Linear and recursive
D. Main and subordinate
Youll notice that this example also contains the phrase which of the following. This phrase
helps you determine that your answer will be a relationship of ideas from the options provided.
You are supposed to find the option that describes how entries, or ideas, in outlines are related.
Sometimes it helps to put the question in your own words. Here, you could paraphrase the
question in this way: How are outlines usually organized? Since the ideas in outlines usually
appear as main ideas and subordinate ideas, the answer is D.
QUICK TIP Dont be intimidated by words you may not understand. It might be easy to be
thrown by words like recursive or inferential. Read carefully to understand
the question and look for an answer that fits. An outline is something you are
probably familiar with and expect to teach to your students. Remember to slow
down, and use what you know.
Watch out for selected-response questions containing NOT, LEAST, and EXCEPT
This type of question asks you to select the option that does not fit. You must be very careful
because it is easy to forget that you are selecting the negative. This question type is used in
situations in which there are several good solutions or ways to approach something, but also a
clearly wrong way.
How to approach questions about graphs, tables, or reading passages
Some questions include introductory information such as a map, table, graph, or reading
passage (often called a stimulus) that provides the information the question asks for. In the case
of a map or graph, you might want to read the question first, and then look at the map or graph.
In the case of a long reading passage, you might want to read the passage first, make notes
about places you think are important, and then review your notes and answer the question.
You may also encounter several questions that relate to a single table, graph, or reading
passage. There may also be a group of questions that has an initial stimulus that sets the scene
and provides information, with a second stimulus at some later point in the questions that
provides more information or a subsequent development.
The important thing is to be sure you answer the questions as they refer to the material
presented. Be sure to read each question carefully.
GACE Media Specialist Assessment Study Companion 10
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How to approach other objective question formats
New formats for presenting information are developed from time to time. Tests may include
audio and video stimulus materials such as a movie clip or some kind of animation, instead
of a map or reading passage. Other tests may allow you to zoom in on the details in a graphic
or picture. Pay attention to the directions on each screen to be sure you understand how the
information is being presented for each question or group of questions.
Tests may also include interactive types of questions. These questions take advantage of
technology to assess knowledge and skills that go beyond what can be assessed using
standard single-selection selected-response questions. If you see a format you are not familiar
with, read the directions carefully. The directions always give clear instructions on how you
are expected to respond.
The interactive question types may ask you to respond by:
Typing in an entry box. When the answer is a number, you might be asked to enter a
numeric answer or, if the test has an on-screen calculator, you might need to transfer the
calculated result from the calculator into the entry box. Some questions may have more
than one place to enter a response.
Clicking check boxes. You may be asked to click check boxes instead of an oval when
more than one option within a set of answers can be selected.
Clicking parts of a graphic. In some questions, you will choose your answer by clicking
on location(s) on a graphic such as a map or chart, as opposed to choosing from a list.
Clicking on sentences. In questions with reading passages, you may be asked to
choose your answer by clicking on a sentence or sentences within the reading passage.
Dragging and dropping answer options into targets on the screen. You may be
asked to choose an answer from a list and drag it into the appropriate location in a table,
paragraph of text, or graphic.
Selecting options from a drop-down menu. This type of question will ask you to select
the appropriate answer or answers by selecting options from a drop-down menu (e.g., to
complete a sentence).
Remember that with every question, you will get clear instructions on how to respond. See the
GACE Computer-delivered Testing Demonstration on the GACE website to learn how a GACE
test works and see examples of some of the types of questions you may encounter.
QUICK TIP Dont make the questions more difficult than they are. Dont read for
hidden meanings or tricks. There are no trick questions on the GACE
assessments. They are intended to be serious, straightforward tests of
your knowledge.
GACE Media Specialist Assessment Study Companion 11
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Understanding Constructed-response Questions
Constructed-response questions require you to demonstrate your knowledge in a subject area
by providing in-depth explanations on particular topics. Essay, problem-solving, and oral-
response are types of constructed-response questions.
For example, an essay or oral-response question might present you with a topic and ask you
to discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated. You must support
your position with specific reasons and examples from your own experience, observations,
or reading.
Take a look at a few sample essay topics:
Celebrities have a tremendous influence on the young, and for that reason, they have a
responsibility to act as role models.
We are constantly bombarded by advertisements on television and radio, in
newspapers and magazines, on highway signs, and the sides of buses. They have
become too pervasive. Its time to put limits on advertising.
Advances in computer technology have made the classroom unnecessary, since
students and teachers are able to communicate with each other from computer terminals
at home or at work.
Keep these things in mind when you respond to a constructed-response question
1) Answer the question accurately. Analyze what each part of the question is asking you to
do. If the question asks you to describe or discuss, you should provide more than just a list.
2) Answer the question completely. If a question asks you to do three distinct things in your
response, you should cover all three things for the best score. No matter how well you
respond, you will not be awarded full credit if you do not answer the question completely.
3) Answer the question that is asked. Do not change the question or challenge the basis of
the question. You will receive no credit or a low score if you answer another question or if
you state, for example, that there is no possible answer.
4) Give a thorough and detailed response. You must demonstrate that you have a thorough
understanding of the subject matter. However, your response should be straightforward and
not filled with unnecessary information.
5) If your response is written, reread it. Check that you have written what you thought you
wrote. Be sure not to leave sentences unfinished or omit clarifying information.
QUICK TIP Scratch paper and pencils will be provided at the test center. You may find
that it helps to take notes on this scratch paper about each of the details of the
question so that you dont miss any of them. Then youll be sure to have all of
the information you need to answer the question.
For more detailed information on constructed-response scoring, see Understanding Your
GACE
, iPhone